Italy: Citizenship by Descent

Claim Your Italian Citizenship

Italian citizenship by descent, or jus sanguinis (right of blood), is an extremely popular and powerful pathway to EU citizenship. The law is based on the principle that Italian citizenship passes down through the generations without limitation, provided it was never formally renounced.

Key Eligibility Pathways:

Uninterrupted Lineage: You may be eligible if you can prove an unbroken line of Italian citizenship from your Italian-born ancestor to you. The key is to demonstrate that no ancestor in your direct line became a citizen of another country before the birth of the next generation.
Maternal Line Rule: For those with an Italian female ancestor, a specific rule applies: children born to an Italian mother before January 1, 1948, could not automatically receive Italian citizenship. However, a landmark court ruling has made it possible to pursue citizenship through the maternal line via a judicial process.

Behind every application is a personal story: How We Help

Eligibility Assessment
Ancestry Tracing & Records Retrieval
Legal Compliance, Including for 1948 Rule Cases
Certified Translations & Apostilles

Application Preparation & Filing
Liaison with Consulates & Authorities
Ongoing Support & Guidance
Strategic Advice for Complex Cases

Begin Your Journey Today

If you’re ready to explore your eligibility for citizenship by descent—or need help making sense of your legal options—Andenhouse Advisors is here to guide you every step of the way.

Contact us for a confidential consultation and take the first step toward reclaiming your European citizenship.